Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

The M. Powell Lawton Conference on Urban Aging

Evaluating Neighborhood Programs: Measuring Outcomes, Determining Effectiveness

HOW DO WE KNOW IF OUR WORK IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY?

How can we demonstrate the impact of our programs to funders, the press, constituents, and others?

This year’s M. Powell Lawton Conference will provide small and mid-sized organizations with the background and tools needed to complete an effective evaluation of their programs and services. Conference sessions will include discussions on: the process of selecting targeted questions for evaluation; how to carry out an evaluation; and the unique perspective of funders and evaluators on what constitutes a reliable evaluation. The day will also include lunch and a resource and networking fair that will expose participants to a wide variety of creative resources used to support evaluations.

Examples that will be utilized in the conference will focus on neighborhood-based services designed to maintain and enhance the health of older persons. However, the principles presented in the sessions can be applied to programs in a variety of disciplines that target persons of all ages.

8:30 - 9:00 a.m. Registration and Coffee

9:00 - 9:15 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks
David M. Nevison, M.S.S., M.B.A, Associate Executive Director, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging
 
9:15 - 10:45 a.m. Defining Outcomes in a Community-Based Program
Chair: Carolyn T. Adams, Ph.D., Temple University Professor of Geography and Urban Studies and Principal, Metropolitan Philadelphia Indicators Project

Panelists: Michael K. Gusmano, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management, STate University of New York, Downstate Medical Center

Julie A. Norstrand, M.S., M.S.W., Consultant and Graduate Student in Social Work, Boston College

Rose Gray,  Vice President of Community and Economic Development, Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha, Inc.

Carmen I. Paris, M.P.H., Vice President Health Services, Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha, Inc.

11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. How to Complete an Evaluation of your Program with Limited Resources
Chair: Bethea Eichwald, M.S.S., Planner, Philadelphia Corporation of Aging

Panelists: Rachel B. Cohen, M.S.W., M.U.P., Consultant, Third Age, Inc.

Yvonne L. Michael, Sc.D., M.S., Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University School of Public Health

Allen Glicksman, Ph.D., Director of Research and Evaluation, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging

12:45–2:30 p.m. Lunch and Resource/Networking Session
Chair: Kate Clark, M.P.A., Planner, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging

Resource Types:

  • Data Resources
  • Cartographic Resources
  • Training Resources
  • Computer/Database Resources

2:45–4:15 p.m. The Funders' Perspective  
Chair: David Kutzik, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Sociology, Drexel University

Panelists: David R. Fair, Senior Vice President for Community Impact, UnitedWay of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Bonita Stowell, M.P.P., Program Officer, Pew Fund, Health and Human Services Policy, Pew Charitable Trusts

Sandra J. Tanenbaum, Ph.D., M.S.S., Associate Professor, College of Public Health,The Ohio State University

4:15–4:30 p.m. Closing Remarks
Allen Glicksman, Ph.D., Director of Research and Evaluation, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging

Conference sponsored by Bravo Health with support from United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Continuing Education Credits
This conference is co-sponsored by Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research. Bryn Mawr College GSSWSR, as a CSWE accredited School of Social Work, is a pre-approved provider of continuing education for Social Workers in PA and many other states. Participants in the conference may earn 6 credits.